I think Horny and Radu are hurt, sit them for game 4 to heal. Put Borque with Leggy and AK46. Let Yip and Tootoo bang and pound. Roll Wilson and Smith with Gaustad. Can't be preditable with Babcock. Shake it up and keep him guessing!
- slash&smash

No take down Detroit early and then U can rest them before round 2

I'm suprised that rads has been so quiet during these playoffs, I would love to see 33 and 15 on the ice but I don't see that happening.
- PREDX1

Rads has 2 assists and is a +2 in the series. Not shabby vs. Detroit even when they are focusing on shutting him down.

Paul said exactly what I thought...we've won 2 of 3 and we played crappy in all 3 games. If we put together a full game, look out!
- MTGrad1

This is where I disagree with both you and Paul. To say that you've played crappy in all three games discounts anything that the Wings are doing to allow you to "play stellar." Wings are doing a good job of getting sticks in the lane, clogging the neutral zone and swarming to the puck handler. Preds are doing the same to the Wings. I think the way we are BOTH playing the other is what's keeping this series from being the "defense-is-just-a-theory" series that apparently the Pens and Flyers' is. I think both teams are playing as hard as they can, but the team on the other end of the rink seems to have an answer. That's why each game has been so close.

No take down Detroit early and then U can rest them before round 2
- PREDX1

100% agree, you don't let up and take those 2 out unless you have no other choice. You end it as soon as you can, the sooner the better. Then rest and recover before game 2. The most important thing going into game 4 is to not get game complacent and come out strong and put the pressure from the onset. I think if we score first we will win.

This is where I disagree with both you and Paul. To say that you've played crappy in all three games discounts anything that the Wings are doing to allow you to "play stellar." Wings are doing a good job of getting sticks in the lane, clogging the neutral zone and swarming to the puck handler. Preds are doing the same to the Wings. I think the way we are BOTH playing the other is what's keeping this series from being the "defense-is-just-a-theory" series that apparently the Pens and Flyers' is. I think both teams are playing as hard as they can, but the team on the other end of the rink seems to have an answer. That's why each game has been so close.
- drice97

Agreed. Just look at what Weber on Datsyuk and the D on Radulov. Both teams are keying in on the other key players and making it difficult on each other to play their games. Also, I think no matter who wins the 2nd round will be much different, these 2 teams are just so evenly matched. Although I think the Preds are a much deeper team and are wearing down the Red Wings and will be on display more and more as the series progresses

This is where I disagree with both you and Paul. To say that you've played crappy in all three games discounts anything that the Wings are doing to allow you to "play stellar." Wings are doing a good job of getting sticks in the lane, clogging the neutral zone and swarming to the puck handler. Preds are doing the same to the Wings. I think the way we are BOTH playing the other is what's keeping this series from being the "defense-is-just-a-theory" series that apparently the Pens and Flyers' is. I think both teams are playing as hard as they can, but the team on the other end of the rink seems to have an answer. That's why each game has been so close.
- drice97

Then one might say we've seen Detroit's best and we're still up 2-1. I've just been underwhelmed with what I've seen so far from the guys in gold. Many missed opportunities by both sides, especially the 5 on 3 we've had in each game.

I thought Trotz would bench Hillen for Ellis and Tootoo for Wilson...I was half right. I really hope Wilson is in tomorrow, as Toots, as much as we love him, took a really stupid penalty and hasn't played his best lately. I only hope he's still sober.

We win game 4, then we have a chance to eliminate the wings on home ice. That would be the best thing to ever happen to this franchise.
- TheOne

Huge, just huge for the franchise. Even more important to this team, right now, in this SC tournament. HUGE!

This is where I disagree with both you and Paul. To say that you've played crappy in all three games discounts anything that the Wings are doing to allow you to "play stellar." Wings are doing a good job of getting sticks in the lane, clogging the neutral zone and swarming to the puck handler. Preds are doing the same to the Wings. I think the way we are BOTH playing the other is what's keeping this series from being the "defense-is-just-a-theory" series that apparently the Pens and Flyers' is. I think both teams are playing as hard as they can, but the team on the other end of the rink seems to have an answer. That's why each game has been so close.
- drice97

This

....babcock made adjustments in game 2. BT not so much (see power play). BT changed PP in game 3, and monster reappears. Howard steals...I mean steals 30 minutes in game 2, but we see the same from Pekka in every game and discount the guy at the opposite end when he must come up big. The same guy who had arguably the best record in goal prior to injury. Detroit played classic Detroit for 25 minutes last night. Puck possession, 5 billion shots, movement and (for the most part) discipline...and like in 2008, our goalie kept us in the game. THEE difference between this year and 2008, when Osgood took them to the Cup is that this team doesn't have Bork with Tootoo and dumont as 1st line forwards in game 6 after marty, sullivan, and arnott were out with injuries....

This year, we have 105 regular season points of healthy scratch sitting....

In this series, every other brain fart goes into the back of your net. For us...Super(giraff/rabbit)Rinne, with the occasional help from townsfolk Josi, Suter, Klein, erases those mistakes...for Detroit it's more equally everything in a winged wheel with Howard being the well of hope, truth and light, that they don't go to every other shift...

I will be very interested as to the changes babcock and BT make and who loses the inches/00.1sec fight. The guys skating, are pretty well matched...and if a healthy Gill does show up, then that may indeed be the additional 9 inches of player needed to win the next game and the series.

Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole game.

Legwand made some obvious dumb errors -
- GNashPred

I've waited and waited and I think I have had my fill of Legwand. For someone who is one of the senior players on this team and the highest paid, and who really contributes little; and seems to get caught out of position so often; and hustles like an old lady, time for the pine bench. Put Wilson in there and I think there will be some life . Rads and AK46 are busting it and he is figure skating all over the ice. I have had enough.

No take down Detroit early and then U can rest them before round 2
- PREDX1

Agreed. You don't rest players in hopes of playing at a later date. Go for the throat. Otherwise you're playing "not to lose" instead of "playing to win."

Interesting news from Josh Cooper who is at practice. He reported that Hal Gill is practicing for the first time with the team since the injury. But the only downside is that he practicing with Hillen, which means that he may be out for tomorrow. But, hopefully we can take this is a good sign for tomorrow. Also, Trotz is shuffling the lines again, here is what Josh said about the lines.

•S. Kostitsyn – Fisher – Erat
•A. Kostitsyn – Spaling – Radulov
•Bourque – Gaustad – Hornqvist
•Halischuk – Legwand – Yip
•Tootoo-Smith-Wilson

Interesting news from Josh Cooper who is at practice. He reported that Hal Gill is practicing for the first time with the team since the injury. But the only downside is that he practicing with Hillen, which means that he may be out for tomorrow. But, hopefully we can take this is a good sign for tomorrow. Also, Trotz is shuffling the lines again, here is what Josh said about the lines.

•S. Kostitsyn – Fisher – Erat
•A. Kostitsyn – Spaling – Radulov
•Bourque – Gaustad – Hornqvist
•Halischuk – Legwand – Yip
•Tootoo-Smith-Wilson
- PredsFan8

Well scratch that Gill skated for about 20 minutes and is off the ice now. Prolly out tomorrow!!

Sorry but you don't sit Horny and Radu unless they are really hurt. I don't think that they are anyway, it is just Detroit is keying in on both of them and hitting them every chance they get. I think both are playing fine, plus you can't assume that we win Game 5. What if you sit both Horny and Radu and we get ran out of the building, and give Detriot all kinds of momentum? I say roll with what you got on the top 3 lines, if you wanna make changes you insert Wilson and Smith and sit Tootoo and Yip. That would add a lot of offense in the 4th line and could give us the leg up we need to win Game 4. You don't mess around in a series like this when you got a team on the ropes you need to finish them and the sooner the better.
- PredsFan8

I was talking about sitting for 1 game not the rest of the series. The preds need both healthier. Radu hasn't been himself since the Stars game, he could laid 3 or 4 heavy hits but stopped short on the forecheck yesterday. BT doesn't let crap like that happen unless your hurt! Horny got a nasty cross check from Hammer in the Hawks game, he hasn't been the same. Radu and Horny aren't fighting in the corners liked they have. The preds can't have everybody play Erat soft. BT didn't make changes on game 2 and got burned. You have to out smart Babcock.

I was talking about sitting for 1 game not the rest of the series. The preds need both healthier. Radu hasn't been himself since the Stars game, he could laid 3 or 4 heavy hits but stopped short on the forecheck yesterday. BT doesn't let crap like that happen unless your hurt! Horny got a nasty cross check from Hammer in the Hawks game, he hasn't been the same. Radu and Horny aren't fighting in the corners liked they have. The preds can't have everybody play Erat soft. BT didn't make changes on game 2 and got burned. You have to out smart Babcock.
- slash&smash

I realize you didn't mean to sit them for both games. But in Game 3 Radulov got an assist and in Game 4 got an assist. I actually thought he has been pretty strong on the puck. As for not laying people out doesn't mean he is hurt it just may not be is game, which is something he is not known for anyways. As for Horny he plays a gritty game and has been beat on all year and still leads the team in goals. Unless they are clearly injured, i.e. Hal Gill then you don't sit them. You go for the throat and end the series as early as possible and then rest before rd. 2. You don't want to give the Red Wings the slightest bit of hope.

Interesting news from Josh Cooper who is at practice. He reported that Hal Gill is practicing for the first time with the team since the injury. But the only downside is that he practicing with Hillen, which means that he may be out for tomorrow. But, hopefully we can take this is a good sign for tomorrow. Also, Trotz is shuffling the lines again, here is what Josh said about the lines.

•S. Kostitsyn – Fisher – Erat
•A. Kostitsyn – Spaling – Radulov
•Bourque – Gaustad – Hornqvist
•Halischuk – Legwand – Yip
•Tootoo-Smith-Wilson
- PredsFan8

At least it appears that BT is unhappy with his golden boy Legwand and letting him know it in practice. I don't believe Spaling is the second line answer at center but BT can't let a line go without a defensive forward in the mix. C'mon BT live a little!!

I realize you didn't mean to sit them for both games. But in Game 3 Radulov got an assist and in Game 4 got an assist. I actually thought he has been pretty strong on the puck. As for not laying people out doesn't mean he is hurt it just may not be is game, which is something he is not known for anyways. As for Horny he plays a gritty game and has been beat on all year and still leads the team in goals. Unless they are clearly injured, i.e. Hal Gill then you don't sit them. You go for the throat and end the series as early as possible and then rest before rd. 2. You don't want to give the Red Wings the slightest bit of hope.
- PredsFan8

I guess I'm more critical on Radu for playing soft and not giving Detroit credit for wearing Horny and him down. This is not a typical Red Wing team, they seem slower and spending way too much time in the box. Their superstars are keeping this a series. I want to see them put out their miseries and move on!!! Babcock scares the crap out of me and his team has a high hockey IQ. The longer the series goes it will shift towards their advantage. Babcock is adjusting from the loss just wish BT would throw a curve ball. I know this is a chess match but I don't think the Red wings would have an answer for Smith's speed and Willy's puck control.

At least it appears that BT is unhappy with his golden boy Legwand and letting him know it in practice. I don't believe Spaling is the second line answer at center but BT can't let a line go without a defensive forward in the mix. C'mon BT live a little!!
- Section106

Marcel Goc played out his mind last night. Maybe Leggy can get shipped to Predator South for Goc over the summer so he can hand out plastic rats with Smithson.

Miss post

hate to change the subject and i guess show my ignorance, but whats the story of the rats being thrown in florida?

hate to change the subject and i guess show my ignorance, but whats the story of the rats being thrown in florida?
- predswilrule

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_trick

Babcock is adjusting from the loss just wish BT would throw a curve ball. I know this is a chess match but I don't think the Red wings would have an answer for Smith's speed and Willy's puck control.
- slash&smash

I agree that Trotz needs to make some changes to counter those that are going to be made by Babcock. I also agree that Wilson and Smith could be the answer to some needed changes. I think that if both plays their game that could be a huge difference maker that Detriot won't have the answer for. I think Smith and Wilson could really put the pressure on the bottom D pairing of the Red Wings and could be the difference maker in game 4 and beyond. To date Trotz has gave some guys chances to perform and they haven't so its next guy or guys up. Unfortunately, I don't see Trotz making 2 changes. If it were me I would sit Yip and Tootoo for Wilson and Smith, the only hitch I could see in that is if Halischuk is healthy enough to play.

here is my theory on the Wilson situation.
He isn't skilled enough to be a top 6 forward on our team and not shut-down enough to play on 3rd or 4th line, also doesn't bring any physical presence to the 3rd and 4th line. When you play 3/4 line duties your job is shutdown and if you score its a bonus. Sucks we can't find room on our team for a guy with 35 points in 68 games and 5 power play goals. Call it bitter-sweet. Hard to questions Trotz when he has a gotten us this far

I agree that Trotz needs to make some changes to counter those that are going to be made by Babcock. I also agree that Wilson and Smith could be the answer to some needed changes. I think that if both plays their game that could be a huge difference maker that Detriot won't have the answer for. I think Smith and Wilson could really put the pressure on the bottom D pairing of the Red Wings and could be the difference maker in game 4 and beyond. To date Trotz has gave some guys chances to perform and they haven't so its next guy or guys up. Unfortunately, I don't see Trotz making 2 changes. If it were me I would sit Yip and Tootoo for Wilson and Smith, the only hitch I could see in that is if Halischuk is healthy enough to play.
- PredsFan8

I'm suprised Hali practiced. Looked like a seperated shoulder to me.

I agree that Trotz needs to make some changes to counter those that are going to be made by Babcock. I also agree that Wilson and Smith could be the answer to some needed changes. I think that if both plays their game that could be a huge difference maker that Detriot won't have the answer for. I think Smith and Wilson could really put the pressure on the bottom D pairing of the Red Wings and could be the difference maker in game 4 and beyond. To date Trotz has gave some guys chances to perform and they haven't so its next guy or guys up. Unfortunately, I don't see Trotz making 2 changes. If it were me I would sit Yip and Tootoo for Wilson and Smith, the only hitch I could see in that is if Halischuk is healthy enough to play.
- PredsFan8

I have to agree in part, the problem is Trotz, i fear, will not make any changes. He seems like the type of coach if you win one game dont mess with success and go with what you have. But Babs is the type that adapts..
Nashville, is the better team, but Babs is the better coach..

If I'm bending over to pick up my hockey glove and some douche bag swats the glove away from my hand. Shouldn't that douche bag get the ever living poop beat out of him regardless who it is? I know everybody is calling Weber dirty but man Crosby is a punk!